Be Full in Him

"everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst"

John 4:13-14

The experiences of depression and anxiety can leave you feeling empty, hungry for something else, or thirsting for something more. These experiences such as loneliness, lack of motivation, anticipation, excessive worry, sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness leave a place of emptiness within you. You seek to fill these areas with food, things that give you hope, things that motivate you, and things that will make the emptiness go away. For some this emptiness is filled and then empty again down the road, needing yet again to be filled by efforts, things, and energy. Chapter 4 in John introduces you to the news that He can fill you in such a way that you do not go hungry again, you do not thirst again, and that you can experience eternal life.

As He meets the Samaritan woman (someone who is Samaritan would not associate with someone who is Jewish) He introduces her to the experiences that He can offer her. He shares with her the hope, help, and relationship that would not need frequent refilling because it would never become empty. She says to Him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with and this well is deep..." (John 4:11). You can only imagine the smirk across His face, not in annoyance but in abundant love. As He continues to talk with her, even when sharing about her sin, He does not have any intention of hurting her, rather--He seeks to show her what He can offer. This is the same for those experiencing depression and anxiety. He does not seek to hurt people through these experiences, He acknowledges them and then shows people the alternative way, His way. His path. His will.

He continues to share with the Samaritan woman about "everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst" (John 4:13-14). You strive for this water that will take you away from being thirsty again. For those going through experiences of depression and anxiety the water from the well looks like bandaids, it looks like poor coping skills, it looks like instant gratification, it looks like earthly things to make the hurt and pain go away. These things do not last, and again you find your way back to the well to fill again the emptiness that depression and anxiety may cause. While healthy coping skills are hugely beneficial, they do still require frequent trips to the well. He is the only thing that can fill that emptiness and keep it full.

There may be moments that leave a place of emptiness within you, there may be moments that you stray away from His plan. And it's okay. He always has open arms welcoming the lost back. And as with the Samaritan woman, He states the facts not to hurt her but to help her. To guide her, lead her, and welcome her into His love. The same way with your experiences of depression and anxiety, or response to depression and anxiety (yelling, lashing out, turning from Him, saying hurtful things to others, not following through), He does not scold these moments, He acknowledges them and then welcomes the individual back into His arms. The Samaritan woman saw Him with His hands empty, but He soon showed her a fullness that would never leave her hungry or thirsty again.

He invites everyone,

even those who do not feel worthy of His invitation,

to experience Him.

Scripture:

John 4:1-18

John 4:11

John 4:13-14

Questions:

Have you ever felt like the Samaritan? That you cannot associate with Him?

What are you currently thirsting for?

How can He replenish this thirst? What keeps you from letting Him?

How do the experiences of depression and anxiety reflect this scene at the well?

Have you experienced Him when you are going to "the well"? What was that like?

Prayer:

Father God, I come to you today to pray over those who need this time to reflect on your word. Lord you brought truth to the Samaritan and there are times that we resemble this individual. Lord, I pray that truth and light can be brought to those who are in a place of darkness. I seek you for guidance and am grateful for this opportunity to share your word with others. Father I pray that we no longer see nothing in your hands as the Samaritan woman saw nothing to draw water from the well, but rather see every hope of possibility that welcomes us into a relationship with your son. I pray for those who are seeking your guidance and that they may continue to seek it, even when they are thirsty and lost. And I pray for those who full with you, that they continue to seek you and never become thirsty. I pray this in your son's name. Amen.